By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 27, 2011

Quote of the day

"If we had come back and won that game in the ninth inning we were going to stop for ice cream on the way home."

Rays manager Joe Maddon, after a brief rally in their 10-3 loss.

New word of the day

Unanointment: Manager Joe Maddon came up with this one Sunday, with a little help from Baseball Prospectus writer John Perrotto, in explaining his reluctance to anoint a closer in case the pitcher struggled and Maddon had to remove the title, thus an unanointment.

Number of the day

3:27 Time of Sunday's 8 ½-inning game

Car show of the day

Manager Joe Maddon thought his 1972 "candy apple blue" Chevelle Malibu was the coolest restored car in the team parking lot until he got a look at Evan Longoria's 1969 Camaro SS, silver and black two-tone with houndstooth interior. "That," he said, "is really nice."

Rays vs. Pirates

When/where: 1:05 today; Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte

Tickets: Reserved seats $19-27, berm/boardwalk $8. Available through raysbase ball.com and Ticketmaster, at Tropicana Field and Charlotte Sports Park box offices and Tampa team store.

Gates open: 11 a.m.

Directions: Driving time from the bay area is 1½-2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 south to Exit 179 (Toledo Blade Road), go west 6½ miles (crossing U.S. 41) to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, complex is on the left.

Parking: $10, lots open at 10.

Rays information: Toll-free 1-888-326-7297 (FAN-RAYS)

Pitchers: Rays — Jeff Niemann, Alex Cobb, Dane De La Rosa, Kyle Farnsworth, Jake McGee, Joel Peralta, Cesar Ramos, R.J. Swindle, Cory Wade; Pirates — Bryan Morris, Fernando Nieve, Sean Gallagher, Aaron Thompson, Kyle McPherson, Rudy Owens

Heads-up

Kyle Farnsworth, by far the most experienced new member of the bullpen, makes his Rays debut. So does Joel Peralta.

Who is this Ray?

He graduated from Lake Brantley High near Orlando and was the Florida prep player of the year in 1998. He made his big-league debut for Toronto in 2001. He was an NL All-Star in 2005. He signed as a minor-league free agent.

On deck

Tuesday: at Orioles (Sarasota), 1:05. Rays — RHP Andy Sonnanstine; Orioles — RHP Jeremy Guthrie

Wednesday: at Blue Jays (Dunedin), 1:05. Rays — LHP David Price; Jays — TBA

Upcoming schedule

March

4: at Twins

5: Twins

6: at Phillies

7: at Pirates

8: Blue Jays

9: Blue Jays, and vs. Netherlands at St. Petersburg

10: Red Sox

11: Pirates

12: at Phillies

13: at Blue Jays

14: OFF

15: Marlins

16: at Marlins

17:- at Yankees, 7:05

18: Red Sox, 7:05

19: at Twins

20: Orioles

21: Yankees, 7:05

22: at Red Sox, 7:05

23: Phillies

24: at Astros

25: Pirates

26: Orioles

27: at Pirates

28: at Yankees, 7:05

29: at Red Sox

30: vs. Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, 4:10

Who is this Ray answer: INF Felipe Lopez

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

By Mike Manning, Times Correspondent
Sunday, February 27, 2011

Youth fishing: The warm weather makes for a great time to take your kids fishing. The shallow flats are warming up, and the local game fish are on the move. Schools of spanish mackerel are showing up along the coast from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. Sea trout are everywhere on the flats, and schools of redfish are on outside points and oyster bars.

Trout are very easy for small children to target. They are just about on every flat that has grass with sand patches The grass flats on the east side of Three Rooker Bar, Anclote Key and the flats around Howard Park are red hot for these sea trout. There are a lot of small trout, but there are plenty of big ones mixed in. Most of the action has been in 3 to 5 feet on the edges of the sand holes.

Bait: For small children, live shrimp under a popping cork will do the trick. You can also rig a 1/8-ounce jig head with a plastic grub tail under a popping cork. With this type of fishing, you can use any boat that draws less than 3 feet of water. Remember when small children are fishing, take life jackets and sun block. And keep them in the action if the bite slows — move to a new spot.

Mike Manning runs Action Fishing Adventures out of Tarpon Springs. Call him toll-free at 1-800-644-5940.

By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 27, 2011

Representatives of the NFL and its players union will trudge into a Washington, D.C. conference room Tuesday for an eighth day of mediation, the continued goal being to make a breakthrough in their stalled labor negotiations.

With the league inching toward a possible lockout as early as this week, and with billions of dollars at stake, the federal mediator presiding has asked the parties not to comment in the media. That has left the public to wonder whether the leaders of our country's most popular game are getting anywhere in preventing a work stoppage.

But interviews with experts in law and negotiation paint a mildly encouraging picture of what likely is transpiring in the room under mediator George Cohen.

They say there is likely a fair amount of frustration and acrimony as the process is painstaking. But a savvy mediator can rise above that and help the sides see they share common ground. It's complex and exhausting, but in the end, perhaps the best sign is that the sides voluntarily remain at the table despite the fact the mediator can't compel them to stay there.

"The fact that they are even coming back is a good thing," said Thomas Hurst, a sports law expert at the University of Florida law school. "A mediator can't impose anything on either side."

Progress is usually more incremental than substantial, but each development, however small, makes a lockout a little less likely.

"Compare it to fighting a wildfire that's raging out of control," said Michael H. LeRoy, a mediator of labor disputes and a law professor at the University of Illinois. "(Mediators) aren't called in unless and until there is a near impasse. And to follow the firefighter metaphor, the first thing the mediator is going to do is to try and control the spread. The firefighter doesn't go in and immediately say, 'Let's put this fire out.' Instead, they are building a fire line, a boundary so that the fire doesn't spread."

Mediators in labor disputes are part referee, part psychologist. They listen and sympathize but can be brutally honest when necessary. They almost always start with baby steps, something that was reflected in a statement released by Cohen on Thursday.

"Some progress was made, but very strong differences remain on the all-important core issues that separate the parties," he wrote.

That's fairly typical in intricate negotiations.

"First, you're looking for areas that we call integrative issues," said Charles Craver, a former labor lawyer and arbitrator who teaches at George Washington University Law School.

"You're looking for issues where one side wants a lot and the other side doesn't care that much about it. … What are the issues that you can sort of trade and improve both sides' situations? Then you look at what we call the disputative issues, the issues you're really going to fight about. They tend to be about money."

That's why, in collective bargaining, most breakthroughs come in the 11th hour, which in this case would be, oh, now. There is recent precedent. Major League Soccer successfully negotiated a collective bargaining agreement with Cohen's help last year, reaching a deal a week before players were scheduled to begin a strike.

The NFL's current CBA expires Thursday. Absent a new agreement, owners could then begin a lockout of the players, effectively shutting down the league and jeopardizing the 2011 season.

Labor agreements are routinely reached through mediation. But the critical question isn't usually if, but when? Does a resolution come before a lockout and the annoying legal wrangling that will ensue? Or can one be reached now, when there are fewer hurt feelings?

The sides appear to be a long way from avoiding a work stoppage, but mediation might be their best shot right now.

"We have far fewer work stoppages today because of the decline of unions, but also because there are thousands of CBAs negotiated every year, many of them through mediation," Craver said.

LeRoy offered an optimistic example from his own experience. Early in his career, while working alongside the former head of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (Cohen is the agency's current director) in a heated coal miners strike, LeRoy watched his more experienced colleague take a passive approach to the mediation that gave the appearance things were going nowhere.

"The guy sat there and would ask questions and listen to answers and then ask some more questions and listen to some more answers," LeRoy said. "It felt like we weren't doing anything. We spent the whole day in sort of a lazy, slow, fact-finding mode. Then, he and I went out to dinner and I said, 'I don't get it.'

"And he said, 'You really don't get it. My job is to make sure the parties stay at the table. Eventually, they'll reach a point where they'll get into a conversation and it'll have traction. As long as they keep talking, we're okay.' "

He was right. The sides eventually reached a deal. Now, football fans can only hope the NFL has a similar outcome.

Stephen F. Holder can be reached at sholder@sptimes.com.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 27, 2011

BRADENTON — After allowing an AL-most and team-record 34 homers last season, RHP James Shields went out Sunday and gave one up in the first inning of his first appearance of the spring.

"I guess it's only fitting," he said.

Shields was pleased with the other 16 pitches he threw in the 10-3 loss to the Pirates, feeling comfortable on the mound after an extensive winter workout regimen and some mechanical tweaks after his 13-15, 5.18 season. "Overall I felt great," he said. "My mechanics are for the most part there."

Manager Joe Maddon, confident Shields will have a bounceback season, said he liked what he saw and told Shields so afterward. "I'm looking at him just being loose in the arm and the ball coming out well, and he wasn't falling all over the place," Maddon said. "Delivery-wise and mechanically, I thought he was sound."

The homer by No. 3 hitter Andrew McCutchen was somewhat windblown.

CASEY AT THE BAT: Nonroster 1B Casey Kotchman, a former Seminole High star, showed some of the great defense he is known for, ranging far to his right to spear a chopper and complete the play and running down a popup. He also showed some offense, which the Rays will need to see if he's going to make the team, with two singles, the first through the shortstop hole on a well-executed hit and run.

MISTER ROBINSON: If it's possible to make an impression in two spring games, C Robinson Chirinos has. Chirinos, acquired from the Cubs in the Matt Garza trade, followed his two-hit, four-RBI debut Saturday with a pinch-hit homer to lead off the ninth.

PITCHING IN: RHP Jeremy Hellickson threw a 32-pitch bullpen session with no issues from the right hamstring strain that had sidelined him since Feb. 17 and is scheduled for game action — after another bullpen and two batting practice sessions — by the end of next week. "He came through it really well," Maddon said. … RHP Juan Cruz, a veteran reliever on a minor-league deal coming off shoulder surgery, has looked sharp throwing batting practice and will make his game debut midweek. … Projected No. 4 starter Wade Davis will see his first game action Wednesday in relief of David Price.

MANRAY REPORT: Manny Ramirez will play leftfield today and a few other times this spring for the conditioning aspects of running on, off and around the field, but also, depending on how it goes, in prep for some occasional regular-season duty. "I want to put him out there to see what it looks like and see how he feels," Maddon said.

The folks selling the T-shirts at mannyray.com, with some input from RHP Andy Sonnanstine via mutual friends, are donating $4 from each $18 online sale to a fund for the families of the slain St. Petersburg police officers.

GAME DETAILS: The Rays manufactured runs in the first two innings but didn't do much else until Chirinos' homer. … Three relievers — Jonah Bayliss (2 R, 4 H, 1 BB in 1+), Brian Baker (1 R, 2 BB in 12/3) and Richard De Los Santos (4 R, 4 H, 1 BB in 1+) — had to be removed mid-inning due to pitch counts, though Maddon said not all they gave up was their fault.

MISCELLANY: SS Tim Beckham has been dropped from most prospect lists, but Maddon said, "I really have a lot of faith this guy is going to be a very good major-league player." … "The Hot Stove" radio show airs at 7 tonight on 620-AM with pitching coach Jim Hickey among the guests. … Twenty team employees will help with a Habitat for Humanity house project today in Port Charlotte.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 27, 2011

PORT CHARLOTTE — Manager Joe Maddon said there eventually will be a time when Matt Joyce is an everyday outfielder.

And after Maddon watched Joyce grow into a "complete player" the past couple of years, the reason it may not happen this season has more to do with how the Rays roster is built, not the makeup of the 26-year-old Tampa native.

"He finally feels comfortable in his major-league skin; he knows he belongs here," Maddon said. "He knows he can do this."

Joyce gained a lot of confidence from last season, when he hit 10 homers — including two grand slams in big moments — while making 63 starts for the American League East champions. But a reason Joyce will get more opportunities this year, while sharing time in rightfield with switch-hitting Ben Zobrist, is the improvement he has made in other areas of his game.

"He's become a really good outfielder," Maddon said. "He's really turned it on defensively. He knows how to play here, we're not just here to hit home runs. His baserunning has improved dramatically, his defense, his arm, everything has improved. And that's why we really like him, because he's a complete player right now."

Joyce, who starred at Armwood High, wanted to make an impact right away when he was acquired from the Tigers following the 2008 season for 14-game winner Edwin Jackson. But while Jackson made the All-Star team in his first year in Detroit, Joyce was hampered by injuries in the past two spring trainings and spent a large chunk of time in Triple A.

It was, at times, frustrating, and tested Joyce's patience. However, Joyce passed Tampa Bay's tests in heeding a challenge to become an all-around player.

"I think something that I really have come a long way with was taking criticism and really working to get better," Joyce said. "And coming from Detroit, we weren't big on baserunning. They wanted you to hit, that was the big thing. Over here, they preach the 'Ray Way' and want to play the total game. That was a big adjustment for me."

Joyce made a nice impression last season after getting called up in June, delivering at the plate in clutch situations. He racked up 12 tying or go-ahead RBIs, with 28 of his 40 total RBIs coming with two outs (AL MVP Josh Hamilton, by comparison, had 33). Joyce's top moments came on a two-out, pinch-hit grand slam in Minnesota July 3 to help lift the Rays to an 8-6 win, and a two-out grand slam to break up Detroit starter Max Scherzer's no-hitter in his first game against his former team.

"I love those situations," he said. "I think those situations are what defines somebody."

Said Evan Longoria: "He had that capability to really seize the moment and get a big hit when we needed it. So I think if he is in that everyday role in rightfield or wherever he is, I'm looking forward to him really coming into his own. Getting those 300-400-500 at-bats under your belt throughout the course of the season, it really helps knowing you'll be there every day. I look for him to really have a breakout year."

To play every day, Joyce will have to have success against left-handed pitching, which the Rays believe he will.

One reason is the quality of his at-bats, which Maddon has dubbed "awesome" and "almost 100 percent." Though Joyce didn't have many chances against lefties with the Rays, just 25 of his 216 at-bats last season (with only two hits), Maddon said he'll get more as both Joyce's experience and the Rays' platoon-orientated personnel dictate.

And Joyce said he's more physically prepared for the season-long grind, having picked up things last year from former All-Star leftfielder Carl Crawford's daily routine, and "exhausting" himself during offseason workouts to make sure he's healthy.

"Physically, I feel like I'm ready to play 162 games," he said. "I'm ready."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 27, 2011

NEW YORK — Vinny Lecavalier on Sunday made the same fist-pumping gesture he usually does after he scores a goal, but even the Lightning captain agreed it was with more gusto.

That's what happens when you regain some self-esteem and help your team win at the same time.

Lecavalier's goal, on the power play and off a booming one-timer 2:40 into the third period, gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 victory over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

And it came one period after his offensive-zone turnover led to Brandon Prust's shorthanded breakaway goal that tied the score 1-1.

"I felt bad," Lecavalier said. "It doesn't matter who scores, but to get it back, really good."

The Lightning (37-18-7), with its third straight win and four-game series sweep of New York, should feel good about gaining two points in what coach Guy Boucher called "probably our worst game of the year."

That might be a bit harsh as New York's ferocious forecheck made finding skating and passing lanes difficult.

Still, Tampa Bay was outshot 23-19, allowed the Rangers 15 puck takeaways and lost 65 percent of faceoffs, including 12 of 16 on the power play.

Yet it found a way to win.

"And that," Boucher said, "counts for something."

What counted was how Lecavalier upped his game after Brian Boyle stripped him of the puck and Prust scored 9:42 into the second period.

Prust might not have had a clean shot on goaltender Dwayne Roloson had Lightning defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron not fallen. But Lecavalier took the blame.

"I wanted to get (the puck) back to the D because (Boyle) came on me," Lecavalier said. "I wasn't sure which side to put it on, and that's the fraction of a second I lost. I was mesmerized by doing something and froze."

"Character guy," Boucher said. "He was first to blame himself. After that, I knew he was on a mission."

Lecavalier has been playing well for a while.

And his 15th goal, which beat goalie Henrik Lundqvist to the long side from the right faceoff circle during a five-on-three power play left wing Marty St. Louis called a "must-score" situation, was his seventh in nine games.

He also has 15 points in his past 12 games.

"I'm skating a lot better," Lecavalier said.

""You just gain confidence. You start to see the ice more. You just put it on net, and things have been going in."

For St. Louis, too. His 24th goal and an assist gave him four goals and nine assists in a nine-game points streak.

Roloson made 22 saves, including two off of scrambles in front of the net in the final 30 seconds. And defenseman Eric Brewer broke up a potential breakaway with 3:26 left as he barely took a pass away from Ryan Callahan.

"It was a good road win for us," defenseman Randy Jones said. "It shows that we're learning and that we're closing out these close games. It's a sign of maturity."

Like Lecavalier's fist pump.

First Period—1, Tampa Bay, St. Louis 24 (Downie), 5:04. Penalties—Brewer, TB (cross-checking), 1:03; Hedman, TB (tripping), 13:43; Downie, TB (roughing), 19:34.

Second Period—2, N.Y. Rangers, Prust 10 (McDonagh, Boyle), 9:42 (sh). Penalties—Zuccarello, NYR (tripping), 4:42; Christensen, NYR (interference), 8:39; Dubinsky, NYR (high-sticking), 11:59.

Third Period—3, Tampa Bay, Lecavalier 15 (St. Louis, Purcell), 2:40 (pp). Penalties—Girardi, NYR (boarding), 1:11; Boyle, NYR (delay of game), 2:04; Dubinsky, NYR (interference), 4:22; Clark, TB (holding), 13:12. Shots on Goal—Tampa Bay 7-5-7—19. N.Y. Rangers 4-9-10—23. Power-play opportunities—Tampa Bay 1 of 6; N.Y. Rangers 0 of 4. Goalies—Tampa Bay, Roloson 18-19-2 (23 shots-22 saves). N.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 25-21-4 (19-17). A—18,200 (18,200).

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 27, 2011

NEW YORK — The Lightning is hopeful W Ryan Malone, out seven games with what is believed to be a stomach muscle injury, will be in the lineup the first week of April.

That, GM Steve Yzerman said, has lessened some of the urgency to make a deal for a forward by today's 3 p.m. trade deadline.

Not that Yzerman has taken his lines out of the water. But with Malone on track for the playoffs and Yzerman adamant he will not deal high draft choices or top prospects, it seems Tampa Bay is looking for depth rather than to make a splash.

Even that is not certain.

"To say add a depth player, I might as well bring up one of the guys from the minors," Yzerman said Sunday. "To add another forward, he has to be better than those guys. I'm not going to give up an asset if he's not going to improve what he have."

One area from which Yzerman might deal is defense. When Mattias Ohlund (lower body) and Mike Lundin (abdomen) are back in the lineup, something coach Guy Boucher indicated could happen this week, the Lightning will have nine blue-liners.

Eight would be better as Boucher generally dresses seven with one extra in case of injury.

"So obviously, that's an option to see if there's something that can make us better," Yzerman said. "But we're not going to get rid of them just to get rid of them. It better be something that either helps us going into the playoffs or as an organization in the future."

"There are a few teams I talked to that, potentially, there is a fit," Yzerman added. "It's a matter of deciding if we're going to add something or not. We'll wait and see what happens."

BODILY HARM: Marty St. Louis' left arm was wrapped in ice after the game. He slid in the third period to block Artem Anisimov's shot. X-rays were negative, the team said.

St. Louis' 54 blocked shots are 12th among league forwards.

STRANGE GOAL: There was a question whether Brandon Prust's short-handed, breakaway goal should have been disallowed because his stick pushed the left leg of Lightning G Dwayne Roloson away from the sliding puck. Roloson appeared to complain to referees after the play.

"I made the save, and the next thing you know, I'm pushed in the net," Roloson said "I just wanted to ask them, 'Did I get pushed in?' He said no. I wasn't mad. I was focused and ready to go again."

"Maybe he thought I ran him over," Prust said. "I made a move. That's why he was out of the net."

Roloson said he approached a referee after the game.

"He said, 'That's the toughest decision I had to make on a goal all year,' " Roloson said. "They're making the calls in split seconds. You have to give them credit."

OHLUND OUT: Ohlund missed his second straight game. His status for Wednesday against the Devils is uncertain. As for Sunday, Boucher said Ohlund "wasn't even close."

ODDS AND ENDS: Boucher called the Madison Square Garden ice "slush," and C Steven Stamkos called it the "worst of the year." … The Lightning has allowed 11 short-handed goals, tied with the Sabres for league worst. … G Curtis McElhinney, who is on waivers, was scratched.

Times staff
Sunday, February 27, 2011

Letter of the day

So Hank Steinbrenner does not think Tampa Bay deserves a baseball team. I would like to ask what he has done in his life to deserve his share of the Yankees? These words all come from a man born on third base and then he swears he hit a triple.

Daniel Spencer, Clearwater

He wrote it

(Bengals cornerback) Pacman Jones has been sentenced to 200 hours of community service as part of a plea deal for his part in that 2007 Las Vegas strip club brawl that led to a shooting, paralyzing a bouncer. Yep, Jones has proven to be of such great service to the Vegas community, he'll ship there as part of his punishment, 200 hours. That'll show him.

Phil Mushnick, New York Post

Number of the day

40 Percentage of his team's minutes, according to ESPN.com, played by soccer star David Beckham since he joined the L.A. Galaxy in 2007. Mostly because of injuries, Beckham has appeared in only 50 regular-season Major League Soccer games. Beckham is now in training camp with the Galaxy for the final year of his five-year, $250 million contract.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 27, 2011

. tonight

USF women vs. No. 18 Georgetown

When/where: 7; Sun Dome, Tampa

TV/radio: BHSN; 1010-AM

Records: Georgetown 21-8, 9-6 Big East; USF 11-18, 2-13

Notable: With its final home game, USF has Senior Night to honor two players, Leondra Doomes-Stephens and Porche Grant, though Grant won't play as she serves the second of a two-game suspension for an obscene gesture she made at Rutgers on Wednesday. Doomes-Stephens had a team-high 19 points in the Bulls' win at Villanova. … Despite the 2-13 record, USF would have the 13th seed right now in the Big East tournament, which starts Friday in Hartford. The Bulls would play 12th-seeded Pittsburgh at noon right now, though the seeds can shift with the final games. … The game has two of the Big East's top scorers in USF's Andrea Smith (16.8 ppg) and Georgetown's Sugar Rodgers (18.5).

Greg Auman, Times staff writer

Times wires
Sunday, February 27, 2011

TALLAHASSEE — It was senior day at Florida State on Sunday, but it was the underclassmen who took care of business.

Alexa Deluzio had 22 points and junior Cierra Bravard added 15 as the 14th-ranked Seminoles defeated Clemson 67-50 in the regular-season finale for both.

Deluzio had 16 points in the first half, including two 3-pointers that spurred a 9-0 run late in the half. She made 6 of 10 shots, including 4 of 7 3-pointers.

Chelsea Davis added 12 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench for the Seminoles (23-6, 11-3), who will play Friday night in the ACC tournament after an opening bye.

"Every time she comes in, she's just so solid in what she can do on both ends of the floor," FSU coach Sue Semrau said of Davis. "She's my sixth player of the year. She's a special kid."

Deluzio and Davis, both sophomores, combined to make 10 of 15 shots while their teammates were just 12-of-45.

Courtney Ward had a rough home finale, hitting 2 of 9 shots and committing five turnovers while the other Seminole senior, Christian Hunnicutt, sat out with a left knee sprain. It was the first time this season that Semrau did not have her starting unit intact.

"With Christian out, I asked Lex (Deluzio) to see where she could step up in her leadership and I think you saw what she was able to do," Semrau said. "Not only did she shoot the ball well, she defended … she rebounded the ball, she distributed it well."

UF 74, NO. 22 GEORGIA 71: Jaterra Bonds had 22 points, Jordan Jones added 18 and the host Gators (17-13, 7-9 SEC) closed the regular season with a three-game winning streak and handed the Bulldogs (20-9, 10-6) their third straight loss.

NO. 12 MIAMI 70, GA. TECH 59: Rijuna Williams had 32 points for the visiting Hurricanes (26-3, 12-2 ACC), who closed the regular season with their sixth straight victory. Williams, a junior guard who went in averaging 21.3 points, made 4 of 6 3-pointers.

Top 25

NO. 3 BAYLOR 82, NO. 16 OKLA. 81: Odyssey Sims matched a school record with nine 3-pointers and had 37 points, including the go-ahead basket in the closing seconds that lifted the visiting Bears (26-2, 13-1 Big 12). The Sooners (19-9, 9-5) fell to 0-6 against top-10 foes this season.

NO. 4 TENN. 80, LSU 60: Angie Bjorklund had 17 points for the host Volunteers (28-2, 16-0), who completed their ninth undefeated run through SEC play.

NO. 5 TEXAS A&M 68, TEXAS 65: Danielle Adams had 26 points for the visiting Aggies (24-3, 12-2 Big 12), who held on after holding the Longhorns to 17 first-half points and beat their instate rivals for the 10th straight time.

NO. 6 XAVIER 73, TEMPLE 66: Amber Harris had 26 points and 12 rebounds for the visiting Musketeers (25-2, 14-0), who clinched the top seed in the Atlantic 10 tournament and became the first school to finish unbeaten in A-10 play for consecutive years.

NO. 9 DUKE 66, NO. 13 UNC 58: Jasmine Thomas had 17 points as the host Blue Devils (26-3, 12-2) beat the Tar Heels (22-7, 8-6), to clinch the top seed in the ACC tournament.

NO. 10 MICH. ST. 65, MINNESOTA 51: Kalisha Keane had 19 points for the visiting Spartans (25-4, 13-3 Big Ten), who erased a 12-point second-half deficit with a 13-0 run.

NO. 15 MARYLAND 78, BC 69: Alyssa Thomas had 17 points and nine rebounds, Kim Rodgers had 16 points and the visiting Terrapins (23-6, 9-5 ACC) made up for 42.4 percent shooting with strong defense.

NO. 20 KENTUCKY 76, AUBURN 62: Victoria Dunlap had 19 points for the visiting Wildcats (22-7, 11-5 SEC), who pulled away with two big second-half runs.

NO. 21 MARIST 60, FAIRFIELD 45: Kate Oliver had 19 points for the host Red Foxes (27-2, 18-0 MAAC), who won their school-record 23rd straight game and became the second team in league history to finish unbeaten in conference play since it went to an 18-game schedule.

Times wires
Sunday, February 27, 2011

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — There's a noticeable absence, an emptiness this year at training camp that the Indians will never fill.

Bob Feller isn't around.

The late Hall of Fame pitcher, who played his entire career with Cleveland and whose ties with the organization spanned more than 70 years, was honored Sunday before the Indians opened their exhibition season with a 7-6 loss to the Reds.

Feller, who died in December at age 92, epitomized the Indians. Whether throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on a humid afternoon in Florida, signing countless autographs or simply being the sometimes irascible Bob, Feller — beloved No. 19 — was a rite of spring for Cleveland fans, who idolized the legendary right-hander and American original.

He's gone now. The Indians miss him.

"You can't help but notice that he's not around," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. "He was a presence. I remember back in the days when we would go to Winter Haven, he'd be around playing catch. There never has been a Hall of Fame-caliber guy who you identify so much with one franchise.

"Bob meant a lot to us."

The Indians are planning a season-long tribute to Feller, who won 266 career games and is regarded as one of the game's greatest pitchers.

In other Indians news, rightfielder Shin-Soo Choo sat out the game to rest his sore left elbow.

ROBINSON HONOR: A quaint Montreal home that served as a sanctuary to Jackie Robinson and his wife while he advanced toward breaking baseball's color barrier is being recognized by the U.S. government.

That chapter in American civil-rights history will be celebrated today when U.S. diplomats unveil a commemorative plaque at the apartment Robinson and his wife Rachel called home in the summer of 1946.

GERUT RETIRES: Outfielder Jody Gerut retired after six seasons in the majors. Gerut, 33, played for five teams.

A'S: Right-hander Rich Harden, who had hoped to start throwing again by today, will get another week off to recover from lat stiffness under his right arm, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

CARDINALS: Rightfielder Lance Berkman said his left elbow is sore, but he'll still play in today's spring opener against the Marlins.

MARLINS: Rightfielder Mike Stanton left the spring opener after straining his right quadriceps while trying to beat out a groundball. The team declined to predict how long he'll be out.

RANGERS: Right-hander Brandon Webb threw 26-28 pitches off a mound, his first mound work in 10 days. The former Cy Young Award winner, who hasn't pitched in a major-league game in two years, said he felt good and had "zero issues."

ROCKIES: Third baseman Ian Stewart sustained a slight left knee sprain in a collision with leftfielder Carlos Gonzalez.

Times wires
Sunday, February 27, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — The "Cam-bine" didn't go too well for Auburn quarterback Cam Newton on Sunday.

Newton completed 11 of 21 throws to a variety of receivers who were unfamiliar to him at the NFL combine, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton.

Even the coach who prepared Newton for this event noted the need for improvement.

"It was a pop quiz, and he didn't ace it," George Whitfield Jr. was quoted as saying to USA Today. "But his final exam is in a week and a half."

Newton's pro day workout is scheduled for March 8.

Newton attributed his struggles to the variety of speed in the receiving corps.

"I underestimated the timing aspect of playing quarterback," Newton told NFL Network. "You had receivers from the SEC, the SWAC, the MAC. … I was somewhat frustrated, but at the same time, I was having fun out there."

Arkansas' Ryan Mallett was said to have impressed scouts in the same drill, and FSU's Christian Ponder also was on target.

Newton ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, tied with Washington's Jake Locker for third among quarterbacks behind Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor (4.51) and Nevada's Colin Kaepernick (4.53). Ponder ran a 4.65.

Bench record: Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Paea broke the combine bench press record, performing 49 reps of 225 pounds. The previous mark of 45 was shared by current Giants guard Mitch Petrus, and washouts Leif Larsen and Mike Kudla.

Bucs' McCoy hits biceps rehab hard

NORMAN, Okla. — Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said he's approaching his rehabilitation for a torn left biceps aggressively.

McCoy, the third pick in last year's draft out of Oklahoma, spoke before the Sooners' women's basketball game against Baylor, where he got an ovation when introduced at halftime.

McCoy missed the final four games after being placed on injured reserve. He said he was medically cleared Jan. 24 and flew the next day to San Diego, where he's working with trainer Todd Durkin.

"I'm workhorse. I don't know how to take a break," McCoy said. "… I'm working out and trying to be at my best, so when they say, 'Gerald, it's time to get back to work,' I'm ready."

He finished with 43 tackles and three sacks as Tampa Bay went 10-6.

"We knew what type of talent we had in the locker room and the staff that we had," he said. "… It was great to see things develop, turn into what it turned into."

Colts: With less than a week to go before the league's collective bargaining agreement expires, the team and quarterback Peyton Manning say they have made progress on his deal, though neither appears in a hurry to finish the agreement. Two weeks ago, the Colts designated Manning their exclusive franchise player, a move designed to keep him off the free-agent market. If the tag sticks, as team officials contend, Manning could not negotiate with other teams. He also would make $23 million if he plays under the tag next season.

Dolphins: Nose tackle Paul Soliai signed a franchise-tag contract that guarantees him about $12.5 million for the 2011 season. Soliai made $550,000 in 2010.

Times wires
Sunday, February 27, 2011

Soccer

Birmingham wins League Cup on gift

WEMBLEY, England — Birmingham scored in the 89th minute off a blunder to beat Arsenal 2-1 and win the League Cup, one of three major English trophies, on Sunday.

It's the first trophy of any kind since 1963 for Birmingham, which sits 16th among 20 Premier League teams. Arsenal is second.

A long ball went toward Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Lau­rent Koscielny. Both went for it. But it squirted away to Obafemi Martins, who put it into the empty net.

Said Martins: "I think this is the easiest goal I've ever scored in my career."

Et cetera

College track: Christian Taylor led a triple jump sweep and running back Jeff Demps won the 60 meters as Florida's men ended host Arkansas' six-year run as SEC indoor champ. LSU won the women's title with Florida third.

Horses: Uncle Mo, a favorite for the Kentucky Derby, is one of six nominated by trainer Todd Pletcher for the March 12 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs. But it is expected to run in the Timely Writer on the same day at Gulfstream. Pletcher also nominated Sam F. Davis winner Brethren for the Grade II race, which drew 38 horses.

Sailing: Miami's Steve Bourdrow and Augie Diaz beat St. Petersburg's Ethan Bixby and Chris Brady to win the 505 class at the Midwinter Championships off of Pass­-a­-Grille. Denmark's Soren Andreasen won the Contender class over St. Petersburg's Ben Moon.

Bowling: Norm Duke of Clermont beat Mika Koivu­niemi in the U.S. Open final in North Brunswick, N.J.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent, Times wires

Times wires
Sunday, February 27, 2011

CLEARWATER — Phillies All-Star 2B Chase Utley has patella tendinitis in his right knee and missed his second straight game Sunday.

Utley had an MRI exam Saturday.

"It's been bothering him enough and bothering me enough, frankly, to go ahead and precautionary do that," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said of the exam. "Rather than really pushing him early, we're going to kind of take it easy on him so there are residual effects throughout the year."

Utley has been taking regular batting practice. His knee becomes painful in explosive baseball movements, such as running and fielding.

"It's a little tendinitis in the knee," Utley said. "I've had it in the past. It comes and goes. It's not going (away) as fast as I wish it would, but I think at this point it's better to be safe than sorry. I'd rather miss a few games here than in the season."

The Phillies do not have a definitive timetable for when they expect Utley to play in a spring training game.

Utley, who turned 32 in December, played in 115 games last season, his fewest since becoming an everyday player. Although he said the team "hasn't even explored" the option of surgery at this point, he is no stranger to going under the knife after three surgeries in the past four years.

Yanks: Nova perfect

CLEARWATER — Yankees RHP Ivan Nova struck out two over two perfect innings in a 7-3 win over the Phillies.

Nova is competing with Freddy Garcia, Sergio Mitre and Bartolo Colon for one of the final two rotations spots behind CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett.

"I'm just paying attention to what I'm doing," Nova said. "That's what I'm worrying about. I know there are good guys, veteran guys. I don't worry about it. I worry about myself."

Nova, considered one of the frontrunners, threw 21 pitches, 14 for strikes. He struck out Ryan Howard on a curveball.

Jays: Drabek rests

LAKELAND — Blue Jays rookie RHP Kyle Drabek will skip his scheduled start today against the Phillies because of a stiff neck, MLB.com reported.

Drabek, 23, felt discomfort after waking up Thursday. He is expected to throw his regular bullpen session Wednesday and make his spring debut Saturday against the Tigers.

"It's starting to get a little bit better, but not to the point where we're going to think (today) is going to be that drastic of an improvement," Toronto manager John Farrell told MLB.com.

Drabek was set to face former Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay today. Drabek was a key part of the package that Toronto acquired from Philadelphia in the December 2009 trade for Halladay.

Times wires
Sunday, February 27, 2011

PHOENIX — In the Dodgers clubhouse Sunday afternoon, a rectangular bulletin board posted information on report times, lineups and workout schedules. Standard stuff for a baseball team in spring training.

But one sheet of paper was anything but standard. It read, simply, "Duke 4."

Edwin Donald "Duke" Snider, a Brooklyn Dodgers icon who contributed mightily to the "Golden Age" of New York baseball — while wearing uniform No. 4 — died Sunday at the Valle Vista Convalescent Hospital in Escondido, Calif. He was 84.

"He was a winner," former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda said at Camelback Ranch after a Dodgers Cactus League game. "It's a tremendous loss for our Dodgers and for his family, and I'm proud to say that I was a teammate and a friend of his."

Added longtime Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, in a statement: "When he had a chance to run and move defensively, he had the grace and the abilities of (Joe) DiMaggio and (Willie) Mays and of course, he was a World Series hero that will forever be remembered in the borough of Brooklyn. Although it's ironic to say it, we have lost a giant."

In the early to mid 1950s, New York fans were consumed by a debate for the ages: Who was the best centerfielder in town? Was it Mays, who played for the rival Giants (hence Scully's "irony")? The Yankees' Mickey Mantle? Or Mr. Snider, also known as "The Duke of Flatbush"? Opinions will vary eternally, yet the three — all members of the Baseball Hall of Fame — enhanced their fame by being part of "Willie, Mickey and the Duke."

"The newspapers compared Willie, Mickey and I, and that was their thing," Snider said several years ago. "As a team, we competed with the Giants, and we faced the Yankees in the World Series. So we had a rivalry as a team, that was it. It was an honor to be compared to them, they were both great players."

Mr. Snider, the last of the trio to be inducted into the Hall, in 1980, put up statistics that were not the equal of his contemporaries, yet that didn't diminish his status among Dodgers faithful. He leads the Dodgers all-time in home runs (389) and RBIs (1,271), and he hit four home runs in the 1955 World Series, when the Dodgers finally defeated the hated Yankees to win their first championship.

"Mickey, Duke and Mays, they were great players in one town," former Dodgers teammate and Rays special adviser Don Zimmer said. "Duke never got the credit for being the outfielder that Mays and Mantle were. …

"As a friend, I had a lot of good times with him. (Johnny) Podres and I and Duke, we spent many hours at night over a beer or something. Duke liked the horses like I did. … He was a great guy."

Mr. Snider's father, Ward, seeing him return proudly from his first day at school at age 5, called him the Duke.

Mr. Snider played for the Dodgers from 1947 through 1962. His swing provided a lefty presence on a team of mostly righties. He often launched shots over the short rightfield wall at Ebbets Field, rewarding a throng that gathered on Bedford Avenue. "The Duke's up," fans in the upper deck would shout to those on the street.

He had a wild swing that was harnessed by Branch Rickey, who made him practice standing at home plate with a bat on his shoulder calling balls and strikes but forbidden to swing.

Mr. Snider stayed with the Dodgers when they moved to Los Angeles in 1958 and won another World Series ring the next year. Prematurely gray, "The Silver Fox" returned to New York with the bumbling Mets in 1963 and finished his career in 1964 with the Giants. In all, he hit 407 homers.

After his retirement, Mr. Snider managed in the minors for the Dodgers and Padres and worked for the Montreal Expos as a hitting coach and broadcaster, spending 15 years in the booth with current Marlins broadcaster Dave Van Horne.

He spent his final years as a Dodgers dignitary, appearing at events, until an unspecified illness struck, according to Lasorda. The team didn't announce a cause of death.

"Today, I feel that I have lost a dear friend," Mays said. "He was a hero to the fans in Brooklyn and a great Dodger."

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Sunday, February 27, 2011

St. Petersburg Times staff writer Tom Jones looks back at the best and worst from a weekend of televised sports.

Worst praise

ABC NBA announcer Jeff Van Gundy, left, is among the best analysts on television, but even he can get carried away sometimes. In the final minutes of the Lakers' victory Sunday against the Thunder, Lakers stars Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant each drew charging calls against Oklahoma City.

"(That) shows you how much they want to win," Van Gundy said.

No, that showed you they were simply doing their jobs. If they aren't willing to take charges, they shouldn't be playing. Van Gundy is a stellar announcer, but Gasol and Bryant do enough great things that they don't need to be praised for routine (and expected) plays.

Thought of the day

This isn't an original thought, but if NASCAR is interested in attracting viewers, the announcers need to get out of the habit of referring to drivers by their car numbers. NASCAR fans know that Jeff Gordon is No. 24, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is 88, Jimmie Johnson is 48 and so on. But viewers not used to watching NASCAR get lost when the announcers say things such as, "Watch out for the No. 88 car." Or, "Oh, the 48 car got loose coming out of Turn 3."

NASCAR diehards will say that those calls are a part of the tradition and that new viewers need to educate themselves to follow along. But, in case no one has heard, NASCAR could use more fans. It needs to do whatever it can to accommodate newer viewers.

Most annoying

As pleasant as it was to hear, once again, Dave Wills and Andy Freed calling a Rays game on radio, it must have been frustrating for Lightning fans driving in their cars to go on a scavenger hunt to find Sunday's Lightning game. The Lightning is normally on WDAE-AM 620 but got bumped to WFLA-AM 970 on Sunday afternoon because 620-AM was doing the Rays-Pirates spring game.

Surely, these switches are covered in each team's contract with 620-AM, but it just seems that a Lightning regular-season game in a playoff race trumps a Rays spring game. The Lightning game should've stayed, and the Rays should have been bounced to 970-AM.

Oh, speaking of Rays spring games on the radio, the next broadcast is Saturday. Why not broadcast all the spring games? It would seem the Rays on the radio would be more coveted during the spring when most of the exhibition games are not televised.

Most honest

Doesn't it seem like hockey announcers are more honest and better at getting straight to the point than other sports' announcers? That even goes for home-team announcers. During Sunday's Lightning-Rangers game on Sun Sports, as the Lightning was floundering its way through another powerless power play, Bobby "Chief" Taylor said, "The Lightning power play, today, has been kind of embarrassing."

Don't you just love that?

Worst question

ABC's Mike Tirico rarely makes a misstep, but during a Sunday halftime interview with new Knicks star Carmelo Anthony, Tirico asked Anthony about his trade from Denver to New York and added, "I know this season has been hard on you."

Let's see. Anthony refused to sign an extension with the Nuggets. He not only forced a trade but managed to get traded to the team he wanted (Knicks). Then he signed a three-year deal worth $65 million. Which was the "hard" part?

Strongest comments

Tigers star Miguel Cabrera, left, is scheduled to make his spring debut today, leday, less than a week after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. In 2009, Cabrera got into an altercation with his wife after a night of drinking and had to be bailed out of jail by the team as the Tigers were in the final weekend of a tight pennant race. (The Tigers ultimately lost the division to the Twins.)

On Sunday's Sports Reporters on ESPN, Detroit Free-Press columnist Mitch Albom said, "Yet, Cabrera never mentioned (the 2009 incident). Just said the typical 'sorry' to teammates and fans, called it a one-time thing. What kind of man takes something that serious that lightly? … A man with a problem."

Dead deal of the day

The Jets were a big hit on last summer's Hard Knocks reality show on HBO, but Jets coach Rex Ryan said he isn't interested in doing the show in 2011. What about after that? HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg told the New York Daily News, "You never know what the future holds. It took many years before there was a Star Wars sequel."

As entertaining as the Jets were and as driven as they should be next season (if there is a next season), it probably is a good idea to try another team. Which team would be a good fit? Obviously, those around the bay area would love to see the Bucs, and they should be an intriguing team next season. But it isn't known if the Bucs are interested, and they might not have enough national sparkle for HBO. The Patriots would be fascinating, but you know there's no way coach Bill Belichick would let cameras spy on his team.

You know, come to think of it, maybe HBO can talk Ryan and the Jets into it again next season.

Three things that popped into my head

1. If you have kids (or good taste), you can't listen to the Hooters Nation Morning Show on WQYK-AM 1010. It's supposed to be a sports show, but you're more liable to hear about sex and body parts than batting averages and national rankings. They even have an occasional guest whose sole purpose is to talk about which women get naked in movies. Seriously. He's called Mr. Skin. Isn't 7 to 9 a.m. a little early for that kind of stuff?

2. Inspired idea by Channel 8 to gather all three local pro sports coaches (Rays' Joe Maddon, Lightning's Guy Boucher and Bucs' Raheem Morris) for a roundtable interview that was shown in segments last week. Unfortunately, the three coaches were more entertaining and fascinating during the informal "Behind the Scenes" segment than during the actual formal interview when they really didn't open up, relax and engage with one another as much as the viewer would hope. Still, it was a good idea with better-than-average results.

3. Is it okay to say that spring training is kind of boring?

Your two cents

Sunday's 2C looked back at some of our favorite sports movies of all time. I wrote that there weren't many decent movies about auto racing, but several readers wrote in to say that Le Mans, the 1971 movie starring Steve McQueen, should have been mentioned. Most agreed the plot was pretty thin but that the racing sequences were outstanding, especially for 1971. The other movie that readers were disappointed not to see mentioned was Brian's Song, a 1971 ABC movie of the week about the friendship between Bears running backs Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, who died of cancer. Billy Dee Williams played Sayers and James Caan played Piccolo. It probably should have been mentioned because it's impossible to hear the theme to Brian's Song and not start bawling. And when it comes to best lines in a sports movie, one astute reader had a line that should've made the list: Bob Uecker as announcer Harry Doyle in Major League when he said, "Juuuuuust a bit outside." Finally, one clarification about the best lines in a sports movie. Tanner Boyle was actually a player (not a coach) on the Bad News Bears who said, "Those Yankees are turds."

Times wires
Sunday, February 27, 2011

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville forward Kyle Kuric's first attempt at a clinching shot against No. 4 Pittsburgh got slammed right back in his face.

The second put the No. 16 Cardinals ahead in overtime. The third nearly led to one of the most costly premature celebrations in recent memory.

Kuric had 12 points, including two big baskets in overtime, to lead the Cardinals past the Panthers 62-59 on Sunday in a victory that showcased Louisville's toughness against one of the nation's most physical teams.

"Sometimes you can't play your style, sometimes you have to play the other team's style and win," Kuric said. "It was a big win for us for obvious reasons. We won with defense, No. 1, and then rebounding. If you miss a shot, don't let it affect you."

Kuric hardly looked bothered when his winning layup at the end of regulation was swatted by Brad Wanamaker. The junior swingman hit a 3-pointer early in OT then appeared to seal Louisville's second win over a top five team this season on a dunk with less than a second left.

That's when things got bizarre.

The clock didn't stop after the basket, which put the Cardinals up 62-57, and the horn sounded. Louisville cheerleaders raced onto the floor, with one grabbing the ball and tossing it in the air.

Officials called Louisville (22-7, 11-5 Big East) for a delay of game technical foul and put 0.5 seconds back on the clock. Ashton Gibbs hit two free throws and the Panthers (25-4, 13-3) had a chance to tie, but Gibbs couldn't get off a desperation heave in time.

NO. 2 OHIO ST. 82, INDIANA 61: Deshaun Thomas, last year's Indiana Mr. Basketball, came out of a slump with 22 points for the host Buckeyes (27-2, 14-2 Big Ten), who are likely to ascend to No. 1 this week.

NO. 8 PURDUE 67, MICH. ST. 47: JaJuan Johnson had 20 points, 17 rebounds and seven blocks for the visiting Boilermakers (24-5, 13-3 Big Ten), who have won six straight.

NO. 12 WIS. 78, N'WESTERN 63: Jon Leuer had 26 points for the Badgers (22-6, 12-4 Big Ten), who finished 16-0 at home this season, their third perfect home mark under coach Bo Ryan.

NO. 14 UCONN 67, CINCINNATI 59: Kemba Walker scored 11 of his 16 in the second half as the visiting Huskies (21-7, 9-7 Big East) snapped a two-game skid.

NO. 19 UNC 87, MARYLAND 76: Tyler Zeller had 25 points and former Sickles standout John Henson had 15 rebounds and seven blocks as the host Tar Heels (22-6, 12-2) tied Duke atop the ACC. North Carolina next visits FSU and Duke hosts Clemson, both Wednesday, then they meet Saturday at UNC to close the regular season.

NO. 25 XAVIER 66, DAYTON 62: Tu Holloway had 26 points and the visiting Musketeers (22-6, 13-1) remained alone atop the Atlantic 10.

Times wires
Sunday, February 27, 2011

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Just before peeling off what he called a "lame burnout" near the finish line, Jeff Gordon screamed into his radio, the emotion pouring out with his voice.

"We just beat Kyle Busch!" he yelled.

Gordon did much more than that. He was headed back to Victory Lane, the longest winless streak of his career finally over.

Overcoming a slew of potential pitfalls, Gordon passed Busch with eight laps left and stretched his lead, ending his winless streak at 66 races Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway.

"It feels so amazing. I can't tell you how amazing this feels," Gordon said. "It's been a long time, I know, and I'm going to savor this one so much."

PIR has been the place to end long winless streaks lately. Ryan Newman halted a 77-race skid at PIR last spring, and Carl Edwards stopped his streak at 70 in the fall.

Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup series champion, was mired in a drought that seemed inexplicable.

Early in Sunday's Subway 500, Gordon was knocked into the wall by Edwards and later had to avoid a massive wreck that led to a 14-minute red flag.

Gordon still led a race-high 138 of 312 laps and pulled alongside Busch, then bumped him out of the way to win for the first time since April 2009 at Texas.

"He was on a mission (Sunday), that's for sure," said Busch, who held on for second to fall just short of winning all three NASCAR races in the same weekend for the second time. "When Jeff Gordon has a good car and he's got the opportunity to beat you, he's going to beat you, there's no doubt about that. He's my hero, and I've always watched him and what he's been able to accomplish over the years, so it's no surprise that he beat us."

A big storm overnight left a dusting of snow on the mountains above the track and washed away all the rubber that had built up on the track the previous two days. That meant a change in setups, more grip and more speed.

And it seemed the extra speed was hard to handle, leading to many early cautions, including one that took out Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne after 49 laps. He finished 41st.

Edwards led several laps early, but his No. 99 car got sent to the infield grass when Busch's car got loose and hit him on the right.

"The car kind of got out from underneath on the backstretch, and I made a mistake and got into Carl Edwards, completely destroying his day," Busch said. "I can understand his frustration, and I apologize to him first and foremost."

Edwards said he believed Busch after watching a replay.

A few laps later, the big wreck hit, triggered when Matt Kenseth bumped Brian Vickers coming out of Turn 2.

But after all the dust settled, Gordon had a raucous celebration in Victory Lane.

"We were the only one to beat Kyle Busch this weekend, and he's so tough to beat," Gordon said. "What an awesome, awesome feeling to have a car like that."

And to win like that, finally.

NHRA: Lucas wins in hometown matchup

Morgan Lucas beat Shawn Langdon in a matchup of former high school classmates in the Top Fuel final at the season-opening NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. Lucas won with a run of 3.835 seconds at 316.38 mph. The Lucas Oil Racing teammates graduated in 2001 from Jurupa Valley High in nearby Mira Loma. Robert Hight won the Funny Car final, and Jason Line took Pro Stock.

Times wires
Sunday, February 27, 2011

MARANA, Ariz. — Luke Donald had only two wins in the past five years, so not many would have given him a snowball's chance in Arizona of winning the Match Play Championship.

Turns out be he was more unbeatable than anyone in the tournament's 13-year history.

When he polished off Martin Kaymer on the 16th hole Sunday, Donald became the first player to go an entire week without trailing in any match. He played only 89 holes in six matches, another record, and led after 81 of them. And he became the first player to win any tournament without ever playing the 18th hole.

All that mattered to Donald was simply winning.

"To come here and beat the top 63 players in the world is very gratifying," Donald said after his 3-and-2 victory. "It's been an amazing week."

On a bizarre day in the high desert, which began with snow covering the fairways and featured a 10-minute delay when sleet coated the fourth fairway, Donald spoiled Kaymer's rise to No. 1 in the world.

It had been five years since Donald won on American soil. A year ago, he had 10 finishes in the top three with only one trophy to show for it, against a weak field at the Madrid Masters. But with a flawless short game, Donald picked up his first World Golf Championship and moved to a career-best No. 3 in the world in this week's ratings.

The consolation prize for Kaymer was going to No. 1, assured when he reached the final.

"It was a very good week for me," he said. "Of course, I was hoping to win (Sunday). I was trying everything I could. I just didn't play as good as the last few days. And the way Luke plays, even a decent round isn't enough."

The match was all square when Donald made an up-and-down from the waste area short of the 10th green to avoid falling behind. He won the next two holes, and Kaymer couldn't catch him.

Matt Kuchar defeated Bubba Watson in the consolation match and will go to No. 10 in the world.

A late winter storm dusted Dove Mountain with nearly an inch of snow in the morning. Donald looked out his hotel room and suggested on Twitter that a snowball fight determine who had honors on the first tee.

"It was definitely a shock," Donald said.

The snow had melted when they teed off, though dark clouds loomed. Sleet began falling when the final reached the third green, and play was stopped when sleet covered the fourth fairway.

PGA: Johnson Wagner won the Mayakoba Golf Classic for his second PGA Tour title, beating Spencer Levin with a par on the first hole of a playoff. Wagner closed with 4-under 67 to match Levin (65) at 17-under 267 on the El Camaleon course.

LPGA: Australia's Karrie Webb used four straight birdies on the back nine to surge past Japan's Chie Arimura for a one-shot victory at the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore. Webb, 36, finished with 3-under 69 for 275 total and her 37th career LPGA win. "I'm one ahead of my age," she said. "I kicked it in on the back nine." Webb trailed Arimura by three after a bogey on the 10th but started her string of birdies on No. 11. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome (73) finished at par 288 and Tampa's Kristy McPherson (70) was at 295.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, February 28, 2011

The Ottawa Senators claimed Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Curtis McElhinney off waivers.

So, the upshot of the trade of goalie Dan Ellis to the Ducks is that the Lightning is out from under Ellis' contract, particularly the $1.5 million he is owed for next season, a price the team obviously was not willing to pay.

Had McElhinney, who had really struggled this season in Anaheim, especially lately, not been claimed, he would have been assigned to the minors. He was not in the Lightning's plans.